Jordan sizes up Henderson, Williams ahead of draft

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Terrence Williams was so nervous at seeing Michael Jordan he was sweating profusely — while stretching. Gerald Henderson was drier but had to endure relentless grief about being a Duke guy.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Terrence Williams was so nervous at seeing Michael Jordan he was sweating profusely — while stretching. Gerald Henderson was drier but had to endure relentless grief about being a Duke guy. As Jordan sat on an exercise bike just off the Bobcats’ practice court Monday, Williams and Henderson did their best to impress Charlotte’s managing partner, who could decide between the two shooting guards with the 12th pick in Thursday’s draft. "He was talking all that Carolina mess," Henderson said of the Tar Heels’ most famous hoops alum. "He said he had his old shorts underneath his jeans and if he took them off I’d be scared to death. He’s always talking junk. It’s cool, though." While it was the second time this month Henderson and Williams, from Louisville, auditioned for Bobcats coach Larry Brown, it was the first time Jordan attended one of Charlotte’s pre-draft workouts. With the Bobcats lacking depth at shooting guard and with both players holding the defensive pedigree Brown craves, Jordan’s presence could signal the Bobcats are prepared to choose between the two if they’re still on the board Thursday night. "They told me in my interview that Mr. Jordan was coming into town and they wanted me to come back," Williams said. "It was an honor to be in the same city as Jordan, let along the same gym." Jordan, Charlotte’s part-owner with the final say on basketball decisions, knocked down some mid-range jumpers after the workout, then slipped out a side door and didn’t address reporters. It left Brown to offer his critique of Henderson and Williams, athletic, strong defenders who have slightly different games. Brown sees the 6-foot-4, 215-pound Henderson, who left Duke after averaging 16.5 points as a junior, as strictly a shooting guard. "I don’t think he’s even come close to tapping what he’s capable of doing," Brown said. Williams, listed at 6-6 and 220 pounds and a four-year starter with the Cardinals, could play both shooting guard and small forward and bring the ball up the court to beat a press, according to Brown. "I think he’s a little bigger and stronger (than Henderson) right now," Brown said. "I think they’re both going to have long NBA careers and be very productive." The Bobcats need to get starting shooting guard Raja Bell help. Bell turns 33 in September and was plagued with injuries late last season. There is no clear backup on the roster. Charlotte may not get to choose between Henderson and Williams. New Jersey, which holds the 11th pick, is bringing in both players for a workout Tuesday. "There are sources that say that with the Bobcats it’s between me and Gerald. There are sources that say with New Jersey it’s either me or Gerald," Williams said. "It’s just an honor to be mentioned with those teams at those positions where they’re picking, not 20-something or 30-something." Neither player is a great shooter. Williams has steadily improved his 3-point shot but made 58 percent of his free throws last season. Henderson made just 33 percent of his 3-point shots with the Blue Devils. Yet Henderson, who said his shooting has improved as he’s traveled to workouts this month, thinks he’d be a good fit in Charlotte. "I think I can bring a presence and really defend somebody out on the perimeter," Henderson said. "Coach Brown was preaching that all workout so I think I can bring that to the Bobcats." Williams believes he’d be a good choice for Jordan, too. "He didn’t know my hands were that big. My hands are the same size as his," Williams said. "I think it was a great showing. It’s three days away so hopefully I’m a Bobcat, to be honest with you." If Henderson ends up in Charlotte, he knows he’ll face constant ribbing from Jordan, Brown and the numerous other North Carolina alums in the organization. "I can give it back, too," Henderson said. If it’s Williams, he’ll have to learn to calm down in Jordan’s presence. "It’s too much pressure," Williams said, smiling. "I’m sweating when we’re doing stretching because he’s over there sitting down. The last 10 minutes I got to talk to him. But it’s still not really reality to me that I’m in the same gym." ______ In photo: Former Duke University and NBA draft prospect Gerald Henderson catches a pass during a workout for the Charlotte Bobcats on Monday, June 22, 2009, at the team’s practice facility at Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/The Charlotte Observer, Jeff Siner)

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87. Photos: Chicago Football Classic 2016 Highlights

88. Photos: Chicago Football Classic 2016 Highlights

89. Photos: Chicago Football Classic 2016 Highlights

90. Photos: Chicago Football Classic 2016 Highlights

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Continue reading Jordan sizes up Henderson, Williams ahead of draft

Photos: Chicago Football Classic 2016 Highlights

The 2016 Chicago Football Classic celebrated a weekend of festivities including the kick-off reception of the President's Reception on Thursday at the South Shore Cultural Center leading to the game on Saturday, September 10 at Soldiers Field.
Clark Atlanta University vs. Central State University premiered on the green field as various dignitaries, community leaders, sponsors and fans enjoyed the game on a beautiful, sunny afternoon.
Here's some key photo highlights to enjoy from live entertainment, scholarship presentations, the pre-game high school bands, football play and the traditional suite hopping.